Posts by Peter Ranscombe
Cairngorms star in new Markus Stitz bike film
A NEW film about a 165-mile bike journey through the Cairngorms has been released online for free. The film, made by biking veteran and author Markus Stitz, documents the connection between the environment of the national park and its residents, along with the businesses they run. “Home Is Where The Trails Take You” captures a…
Read MoreCity gardeners asked to spot mammals
HAVE you spotted rabbits, foxes, or other mammals in your urban garden? If so then the People’s Trust for Endangered Species (PTES) wants to hear from you. The charity is gathering reports of sightings, footprints, and droppings from gardens, allotments, parks, playing fields, cemetries, and other public spaces. Its data will help with conservation work…
Read MorePrince William’s photographer snaps Knoydart residents
PORTRAITS of Knoydart residents have been taken by the photographer behind the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay’s latest family images. Matt Porteous took the portrait for last year’s royal Christmas card. Now, he’s taken pictures of people living and working on Knoydart – using a mobile phone strapped to a drone. Porteous used a satellite…
Read MoreBonnie & Wild hosts landscape photographs
THE Scottish landscape photographer of the year exhibition has opened at the Bonnie & Wild food court within Edinburgh’s £1 billion St James Quarter shopping centre. Almost 200 images from nearly 100 photographers are on display in the show. Now in its eight year, the competition’s top prize went to Isabella Hillhouse, whose portfolio of…
Read MoreOpen letter by Upper Deveron Valley wind campaigners
RESIDENTS and businesses in the Upper Deveron Valley have called on Aberdeenshire and Moray councils to develop a joined-up plan for wind farms in their communities. In an open letter signed by Patti Nelson, chair of the Cabrach Community Association, campaigners called for an “inter-authority regional landscape capacity assessment”. The letter called for the councils…
Read MoreNew website gives Scottish makers a boost
AN ONLINE marketplace is shining the spotlight on craft and produce makers from throughout Scotland. Blackthorn Sea Salt, Cashmere Circle, and Mademoiselle Macaron are among the brands already listed on the Made Scotland website. The site is also sharing the stories of many of the makers behind the products. “The idea came out of my…
Read MorePerth’s £2.5m Royal National Mòd lift
THE Royal National Mòd gave Perth an economic boost, according to new figures. More than 7,500 people attended the nine-day celebration of Gaelic language, music, and culture last October. Together, they pumped £2.5 million into the local economy. Experts think the Fair City could enjoy a further £1m boost if visitors return. Councillor Andrew Parrott,…
Read MoreScotland’s lighthouses star in new book
AN ARTIST and author has spent the past five years drawing illustrations of more than 350 lighthouses surrounding Britain and Ireland. Roger O’Reilly will release a book early next year, and is already selling prints online. All Scotland’s lights are included in the project, including famous sites such as Bell Rock and Eilean Mór. His…
Read MoreDrinks news round-up: Beer, gin, and more
Peter Ranscombe pours another measure of drinks news. ALCOHOL-FREE beer maker Jump Ship Brewing is launching a £300,000 crowdfunding campaign to build its own brewery at Rosemain Steadings in Midlothian. Managing director Sonja Mitchell, who launched her brand in 2019, will create three jobs at the brewery, and a further ten posts over the next…
Read MoreMachine speeds up spinning for Shetlanders
SHETLANDERS are producing garments even faster thanks to innovative technology. Jamieson’s Spinning was awarded £33,600 from economic development agency Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) to increase capacity. The family-owned business operates from Sandness and has invested in the latest Shima Seiki knitting machine that uses computer numerical control (CNC) technology. This process uses computerised machines…
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